Onan spark arrestor

[K Man]

I have a question about the spark arrestor on my Marquis Gold 7000 - gas generator. My genset has about 150 hours on it and I have never cleaned out this spark arrestor.
Has any one else done this - how necessary is it? I would have a bit of a concern with the 7/16 plug being stuck since I have never had it off. It does appear to have a small bit of rust around it.

My generator is running fine - but I thought I should do the maintenance on this plug arrestor since the Onan schedule calls for it to be done every 50 hours.

Comments? Suggestions?

[Gary RVRoamer]

My guess is that most motorhome owners have never done it nor had it done. IT is on the Onan maintenance schedule, though. I know I haven't. I heard of one case where apparently a dirty spark arrester caused the genset to run poorly.

[AFChap]

I have cleaned mine 3 times in the past 6 years ...just under 1,000 hrs on the generator at this point. I believe the schedule on my generator (7500 diesel) calls for it every 150 hrs/annually. It takes a number of extensions on my socket driver to reach it on mine ...20+ inches as I recall. At least once there was a surprising amount of carbon there when I got the plug out.

[Jimary]

I did mine at about 250HR'S because of the Performance Schedule. The plug came out no problem. I got a little rust and carbon that blew out and didn't notice any performance differance. I don't know if I'll do it again unless I really want to do something to the coach.

[j griff]

Onan maintenance schedule says to do it - so I do. Their expertise on the proper preventative maintenance is much greater than mine, so I try to follow their recommendations. Have had 5 MHs with Onans and have used them all a great deal - probably average 200 hours per year at minimum, and have never had a problem. Works for me.

[mfire1339]

J Griff, Is the Onan in the back of the wagon or in the TT?

Mike

[K Man]

Thanks for the replies. I may give it a try. Mine is not hard to get at, except that it requires an 8-point socket 7/16 and they are not easy to find.

[Rocky Larson]

I found my 8point at Sears.

[K Man]

Thanks, Rocky. I will have a look there.

[j griff]

mfire1339
Thanks for noticing - that was our first RV, three years of use between overseas assignments. The 57 chevy wagon went to Japan and in the 3 years there never got over 35 mph, more often 15-20. Brought it home and threw a rod first day of travel.